Suggested Reading

Green from the Ground Up, by David Johnson & Scott Gibson

Not So Big House, by Sarah Susanka & Kira Obolensky

 

   

  

 

Green from the Ground Up by David Johnson & Scott Gibson (the Taunton Press, 2008, 330pgs)
One of the best books on the Subject of Green Building.  Subtitled "A Builders Guide", this book offers a thorough and comprehensive treatment of the subject.  It is written in an easy to follow style, and provides many excellent color illustrations.  It is an invaluable source to both the beginner who is looking for an appreciation and understanding, and the professional who needs a good basis for concepts and methods.

Editorial Reviews from Amazon.com

Review
“A refreshing and comprehensive step-by-step course in green building, packed with both solid building science and common sense solutions.”
–Helen English, executive director of Sustainable Buildings Industry Council

“Green From the Ground Up overflows with details and practical content that is hard to find anywhere else…an essential resource for any building professional that will be a valuable reference tool for years to come.”
–Brian Gitt, CEO of Build It Green

“Within 5 to 10 years, all contractors will need to know how to execute a green remodel. From framing and foundations to plumbing and interior finishes, Green From the Ground Up puts that information in our hands.”
–Dan Taddei, director of education, National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Labelled a Builder's Guide, this book is the next step up from the Dummies tome. It's written for builders and architects, but is a valuable resource for the advanced DIY person or the homeowner who wants to talk turkey with the pros on eco-friendly construction and energy efficiency. Topics range from selecting your building site and landscaping to tankless hot water systems and the insulating value of different window frame materials. --Ottawa Citizen (Canada)

Product Description
A thorough, informative, and up-to-date reference on green, sustainable and energy-efficient home construction that clarifies definitions of green and sustainable and guides builders and architects through the process of new or remodel green construction, including issues of site, landscaping, durability, and energy-efficiency. It starts with clear explanations of the concepts and fundamentals of green, healthy and energy-efficient construction and walks the reader through the entire construction process, injecting expert advice at every decision point. Construction techniques, materials, and products are thoroughly explained, making the often vaguely understood concepts cleanly understandable. The book gives builders and architects the tools to respond to growing requests from homeowners for green and energy-efficient houses, whether new or remodeled. Homeowners can use the book to understand the concepts, process, and options, whether they're doing it themselves or working with a professional.

About the Author
Nationally recognized green building expert, author, and lecturer David Johnston has been a leading thinker behind the green building movement. He created the first green remodeling program in the country and his approach to green building has been embraced by cities, building professionals, and sustainability advocates nationwide. Johnston has represented the United States internationally to develop international research agreements on sustainable construction. He designed the Denver Metro Home Builders Association's Built Green Program and the Boulder Build Green Program. What's Working, Inc., the company he founded, has offices in California and Colorado.
 

 

 

The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka with Kira Obolensky (the Tauton Press, 2001, 199pgs)


Subtitled "A Blue Print for the Way We Live", Sarah Susanka takes us on a journey from super size to right size, from sheer quantity to imaginative quality, from soul less forms to inviting and intimate spaces.  This book is a delight to experience - artful design and tasteful words.  For more of the same, go to http://www.susanka.com


Editorial Reviews from Amazon.com

When describing a favorite room in the house, do you find yourself using terms such as "expansive," "formal," and "spacious"--a marble foyer or a formal dining room perhaps? Or do the words "cozy," "intimate," and "warm" come to mind--a cheery little breakfast nook or a window seat complete with plenty of pillows and a breathtaking view? More than likely, you--like thousands of other homeowners--are drawn to the more personal spaces in your home, where comfort, beauty, and efficiency meet. In The Not So Big House, respected architect Sarah Susanka and coauthor Kira Obolensky address our affinity for the "smaller, more personal spaces" and propose "clear, workable guidelines for creating homes that serve both our spiritual needs and our material requirements." The heart of the not-so-big house--which is not "just a small house ... [but] a smaller house," that uses "less space to give greater quality of life," and is designed to not only "accommodate the lifestyles of its occupants" but also to express "our values and our personalities," is discussed in chapter 1, entitled "Bigger Isn't Better." Susanka's urging for homeowners to get creative with their space as well as loads of ideas to encourage that creativity are covered in "Rethinking the House" and "Making Not So Big Work." Discussions of specific needs, such as a home for one and designing for kids, can be found in "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous," while "Dreams, Details, and Dollars" gets down to the nuts and bolts of the operation, looking at quality versus quantity, budgeting, and what "low end," "middle ground," and "high end" really mean in home design and construction. Lastly, the authors look at the home of the future, which involves simplifying, recycling, reducing waste, and using energy-efficient construction. With more than 200 color photographs, as well as floor plans and Susanka and Obolensky's intelligent and lively dialogue, The Not So Big House is perfect for homeowners ready to rethink their space. --Stefanie Hargreaves --This text refers to the

From Library Journal
Architect Susanka believes that the large homes being built today place too much emphasis on square footage rather than on current lifestyles. Here she shows how homes can be designed to feature "adaptable spaces open to one another, designed for everyday use." She describes how to examine occupants' lifestyles, how to incorporate the kitchen as the focal point of the home, how to give the illusion of space, and how, with storage, lighting, and furniture arrangement, a smaller home can be comfortably livable. Photographs of contemporary homes as well as those by Frank Lloyd Wright and other modern architects illustrate Susanka's ideas and show the timelessness of the style she advocates. This thought-provoking book will be a good addition to architectural and interior design collections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the

From
Fifty years after Life magazine commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build a dream house, a similar event is taking place--this time under the tutelage of a Twin Cities' architect. Having examined our homes and found most of them wanting, she argues for a not so big house, one that is comfortable, promotes quality over quantity, and expresses the owners' whims and preferences. That goal is not an easy one to achieve, considering that many Americans have succumbed to the Versailles complex--that is, bigger is better. Nonetheless, through a combination of eloquent thought and visual examples, Susanka succeeds. Her tips include building an "away" room, a retreat from a home's hubbub. Readers will find her chapter on building from scratch particularly enlightening, as are her unfortunately too abbreviated
musings on future homes. Barbara Jacobs --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
This best-seller was met with an extraordinary response when it was published in 1998. In it, visionary architect Sarah Susanka embraced the notion of smaller, simpler shelters that better meet the needs of the way we live today. The book created a groundswell of interest among homeowners, architects, and builders. More than 200 photographs bring the spirit of the "Not So Big" house alive.
 
Hardcover edition.Hardcover edition.Booklist